Post by Gale Coleman on Jun 18, 2017 20:21:53 GMT -8
How can providers support early brain development?
Because the brain is developing so rapidly in the first years of life, and its development is so powerfully influenced by experience, it is essential that caregivers have some basic knowledge about the importance of their role in promoting healthy brain development. This material hopes to link science and care giving strategies for providers.
The nature of early brain development is at birth, this is where the brain is still preparing for full function. Between birth and age 3, experience plays an important role in wiring a young child's brain. For children to succeed, they need to be provided with many positive social and learning opportunities so that the synapses associated with these experiences become permanent, and the social and physical environments respond to infants and toddlers plays a big part in the creation of synapses.
The nurture of early brain development Infants and toddlers learn about themselves and their world during interactions with others. Brain connections that lead to later success grow out of nurturant, supportive and predictable care. This type of care giving fosters child curiosity, creativity and self-confidence. Young children need safety, love, conversation and a stimulating environment to develop and keep important synapses in the brain.
Caring for infants and toddlers is mostly about building relationships and making the most of everyday routines and experiences. And the first 3 years of life, infants and toddlers look to caregivers for answers to questions like, do people respond to me? can I depend on other people when I need them? am I important to others? am I competent? how should I behave? do people enjoy being with me? what should I be afraid of? is it safe for me to show how I feel? what things interest me?